vexation

noun

vex·a·tion | \ vek-ˈsā-shən

How to pronounce vexation (audio)

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Definition of vexation

1 : the quality or state of being vexed : irritation

2 : a cause of trouble : affliction

3 : the act of harassing or vexing : troubling

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Examples of vexation in a Sentence

the problems and vexations of everyday life the repeated vexations guaranteed that she wouldn't get any work done

Recent Examples on the Web Part of the enduring fascination of his life — also the vexation — is trying to square the two. — BostonGlobe.com, "This American larger than life," 31 Mar. 2021 Another source of vexation for Trump, according to a Washington Post report, is the lack of a preelection report from U.S. Attorney John Durham on his criminal inquiry into the Russia investigation. — Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, "Trump says wait and see if he'll fire Barr," 3 Dec. 2020 Sougwen Chung looks down at her silent, stubborn collaborator with a mix of affection and mild vexation. — Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, "Artist Sougwen Chung wanted collaborators. So she designed and built her own AI robots.," 5 Nov. 2020 High-tech and health-care companies have a disproportionate number of foreign workers on their payrolls, and immigrants also are overrepresented on the welfare rolls, to the dismay and vexation of many natives. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "Helvexit?," 17 Sep. 2020 While leagues like the NBA have made the national protests a vocal and constant point of emphasis — to the applause of some fans and the vexation of others — attention Saturday will likely be on the race itself. — Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, "Churchill Downs becomes the latest sports entity to acknowledge national protests," 4 Sep. 2020 In the meantime, the square will remain a vexation. — John Maccormack, ExpressNews.com, "Gonzales faces ghosts of “Confederate Square”," 10 July 2020 People who have lost their jobs have lost honor and vexation at once. — Ai Weiwei, The Atlantic, "When Time Loses All Meaning," 2 June 2020 But the news that the services of hangmen are no longer needed attracts fresh faces to the pub, including a mod young stranger from London with a gift for vexation. — Dan Barry, New York Times, "You’ve Got the Wrong Idea About Martin McDonagh," 4 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vexation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Vexation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vexation. Accessed 7 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for vexation

vexation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of vexation

old-fashioned

: the state of being worried or annoyed : irritation or annoyance

: something that worries or annoys you

See the full definition for vexation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vexation

noun

vex·a·tion | \ vek-ˈsā-shən

\

Kids Definition of vexation

1 : the quality or state of being annoyed by small irritations

2 : the act of bringing trouble, distress, or worry to

3 : a cause of trouble or worry

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